Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the House today. This is one of the greatest theatres of all. I will not surprise the people in the Gallery today, which I note it is full. Fianna Fáil supports this Private Members' Bill, having reflected on the matter. This follows recent support of a motion that was passed in Dáil Éireann to ensure that freelance workers have the right to collectively bargain. Currently, competition law prevents actors who provide voiceovers for advertisements, musicians and freelance journalists from negotiating pay collectively.This Bill would enable such persons to exercise the right to bargain collectively and negotiate their pay and conditions. The issue of female workers who cannot avail of maternity benefit is of serious concern. The Bill would ensure such individuals would not be classed as "undertakings" for the purpose of competition law. Importantly, self-employed individuals would continue to be prohibited from price fixing in the best interest of the consumer. Following discussions with Senator Bacik and a couple of our colleagues, in addition to some of the unions, it certainly gives me pleasure to support this legislation on behalf of Fianna Fáil today.